The rescheduled 2019 Grand Prix Stakes steals the show in Brisbane on Saturday with the three-years-old staying feature taking place in December for the first time and the bookies are having a hard time separating the top two in betting.
Trainer Mark Newnham (pictured with jockey Josh Parr) saddles-up Mission Phoenix in the 2019 Grand Prix Stakes field in Brisbane on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.
Formerly part of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, this season’s Group 3 $250,000 Mullins Grand Prix Stakes (2206m) has been moved to the summer racing program in Queensland taking place at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Still a key lead-up to the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) held in June, the 2019 Grand Prix Stakes field has attracted a quality line-up of 12 young hopefuls.
Dominating the Grand Prix Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au are two last start winners with Chains Of Honour ($3.30) and Mission Phoenix ($3.40) battling for top spot in the markets.
Chains Of Honour is drawn well in barrier two with Mark Zahra booked to ride the Gerald Ryan-trained favourite.
Ryan chases a second Grand Prix Stakes win having prepared Reclaim for his win in June of 2004.
Redoute’s Choice three-year-old Chains Of Honour has won two of his three career starts to date, the latest a Class 2 at Hawkesbury on December 8 carrying a hefty 59kg to a two-length victory.
Saturday has the interstate visitor dropping back to 57kg at set weights for his first run over further than 1800m.
Close second favourite Mission Phoenix comes from the flying stables of Mark Newnham who has enjoyed a stellar spring – summer season.
Like Chains Of Honour, Mission Phoenix has had three runs for two wins so far with the Reset gelding last seen saluting at Kembla Grange over 2000m in a BM64 on November 30.
He has been kept fresh since ahead of his Black-Type debut in the Grand Prix Stakes and is likely to be taken forward early by jockey Joshua Parr from the wide barrier 11 draw.
Three other potential 2020 Queensland Derby types are also under $10 for the win at Eagle Farm this weekend including the Stuart Kendrick-trained Don’t Waiver who is the best of the local hopes.
Not A Single Doubt gelding Don’t Waiver is one of the best-tried in the field having his 10th career start on Saturday, the bay coming off a string of minor placings in Brisbane.
He has only finished out of the money twice to date and his lead-up run saw him finish second over 2000m at Doomben on December 7 carrying 59kg.
Robbie Fradd retains the ride in the Grand Prix where the ultra-consistent Don’t Waiver comes back to 57kg at set weights and should be flying home late in the 2206m showdown.
Smart Meteor ($7) in the outside alley and the Robert Heathcote-trained Mosshiki ($7.50) round out the single figure fancies.
Prepared by former champion jockey turned trainer Chris Munce, the flying Smart Missile gelding Smart Meteor chases his third win on the trot.
He comes off wins at Toowoomba and Doomben over 1300m and 2000m respectively, the latest in Brisbane defeating Don’t Waiver by a tidy one and a half lengths.
Mosshiki has a positive barrier four jockey for Michael Rodd, the progressive son of Mossman looking for his second career success.
Two back he saluted over the mile at Toowoomba by over three lengths before a last start fifth behind Smart Meteor when stepped-up in distance at Doomben earlier this month.
This class could see Mosshiki found out, but the youngster gets the chance to prove himself and hand Heathcote another win after his 2007 victory with Bell Academy.
Click here for the latest Grand Prix Stakes 2019 betting odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.
2019 Grand Prix Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw
| # | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | H. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 67×1213332 | DON’T WAIVER | Stuart Kendrick | Robbie Fradd | 8 | 57kg | 66 |
| 2 | 3x3226x611 | SMART METEOR | Chris Munce | Justin Huxtable (a) | 12 | 57kg | 68 |
| 3 | x41370x524 | SOUTHERN SWING | Darryl Hansen | Ron Stewart | 7 | 57kg | 65 |
| 4 | 4x432x4415 | MOSSHIKI | Robert Heathcote | Michael Rodd (late alt) | 4 | 57kg | 62 |
| 5 | 17×1 | CHAINS OF HONOUR | Gerald Ryan | Mark Zahra | 2 | 57kg | 67 |
| 6 | 101 | MISSION PHOENIX | Mark Newnham | Joshua Parr | 11 | 57kg | 66 |
| 7 | 439143 | TEARS OF LOVE | Matt Kropp | Gary Geran | 9 | 57kg | 61 |
| 8 | 6182243 | SAVVY VALENTINO (NZ) | Bjorn Baker | Brad Stewart | 10 | 57kg | 60 |
| 9 | 69725 | HALEIGHOZAE | Garry Schwenke | Luke Tarrant | 3 | 57kg | – |
| 10 | 8445 | PRIVATE DETECTIVE | Gregory Hickman | Micheal Hellyer | 5 | 57kg | – |
| 11 | 21356 | ALIGNMENT | Bryan & Daniel Guy | Mark Du Plessis | 6 | 55kg | 60 |
| 12 | 862 | REAL IT IN | Peter & Will Hulbert | Adin Thompson (a) | 1 | 55kg | – |
